Texas Parking Lot Towing Signs: Rules for Paid Lot Owners

In Texas, a private lot owner can tow an unauthorized car without the driver's consent only if a compliant sign has been posted at the lot for at least 24 hours before the tow, or if the driver got proper notice. The sign rules are exact: at least 18 by 24 inches, mounted with its bottom edge 5 to 8 feet off the ground, at every entrance, with set colors and letter sizes. Miss a detail and you can owe the driver's damages and tow fees. A knowing or reckless violation can cost $1,000 plus three times the fees.

This guide covers the state rules in Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308. Cities and counties can add stricter rules, so check your local code too. This is general information, not legal advice.

When Texas lets a lot owner tow

Section 2308.252 lists four ways a parking facility owner can have an unauthorized car removed at the driver's expense:

1. Signs. Compliant signs were on the lot at the time of the tow and for the 24 hours before it.
2. Actual notice. The driver was told directly that the car would be towed if it stayed in an unauthorized space.
3. Windshield notice plus certified mail. You attach a notice to the windshield, then mail one by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registered owner. The car can be towed if it is not moved before the 15th day after the postmark.
4. Blocking cases. The car blocks a paved driveway or the roadway used to enter or exit, or breaks the rules in Section 2308.251 or 2308.253. You must tell the driver, on request, which towing company and storage lot will be used.

For a paid lot open to the public, option 1 is the one that matters. Drivers come and go. You cannot give each one direct notice. The sign does that job.

Section 2308.254 adds a limit: you may not have a car removed except under this chapter, a city ordinance that follows it, or at the direction of a peace officer or the car's owner.

Where each sign must go

Section 2308.301(a) sets placement. Each sign must be:

• Facing drivers and easy to see as they enter.
• At every entrance. One sign on the right or left side of each driveway or curb cut, including entries from an alley.
• Spaced on wide open frontage. If curbs, barriers or plantings do not define entrances and an entrance is wider than 35 feet, place signs so no part of the entrance is more than 25 feet from a sign.
• Permanently mounted on a pole, post, permanent wall or permanent barrier.
• On your lot, not on a neighbor's fence or the public right-of-way.
• 5 to 8 feet high, measured to the bottom edge of the sign.

Walk every curb cut before you order signs. Side alley entries are easy to miss.

What the sign must say

Section 2308.301(b) sets content. Each sign must:

• Be made of weather-resistant material.
• Be at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall.
• Show the international towing symbol.
• Say who may park and that all others are prohibited. For a paid lot, that can be "Paid parking only. Customers with a current paid session may park."
• Use the right warning line: "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed at Owner's or Operator's Expense" (or the "Towed or Booted" or "Booted" version if you boot).
• State the days and hours towing is enforced.
• List a 24-hour phone number, with area code, that drivers can call to find a towed car or get a boot removed.

Colors, layout and letter sizes

Section 2308.302 controls the layout from top to bottom. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation sign guide shows the same rules with sample signs.

The towing symbol can sit on a separate sign placed right above the main sign. The bottom section may also list the storage lot's name and address, and some city ordinances require it.

Restricting only some spaces

You do not have to restrict a whole lot. Section 2308.304 lets you mark certain spaces as restricted on an otherwise open lot. Post a compliant sign at each entrance to the restricted area, or at the end of each restricted space. If the sign sits at the end of a space, its top can be no higher than 7 feet.

This is useful for a business that wants to keep free customer parking up front and charge for spaces in the back. Section 2308.305 covers reserved signs for single spaces inside a restricted area. Those letters must be at least 2 inches tall and readable day and night.

Booting has its own rules

Section 2308.257 lets a lot owner boot a car under the same 24-hour sign rule. The boot operator must leave a notice on the windshield or driver's side window. The notice must list the time, the booting company, a 24-hour number, the removal fee and the driver's right to a hearing.

Section 2308.258 sets two hard limits. The company must remove the boot within 1 hour of the driver's call, or waive the removal fee. And it cannot charge more for several boots than for one. Cities may also regulate booting permits, signs and fees under Section 2308.2085.

What a mistake costs

Section 2308.404 makes a towing company, booting company or lot owner who breaks the chapter liable for the driver's damages and the towing, storage or booting fees. The driver does not have to prove negligence. If the violation was intentional, knowing or reckless, the amount is $1,000 plus three times the fees.

Drivers can also ask for a hearing. Under Section 2308.451, if the court finds the tow lacked probable cause, the party that ordered it pays or refunds the towing and storage costs.

Three habits lower your risk:

1. Photograph every sign with a date stamp after install and every few months.
2. Give your towing company written proof that the signs are posted. Section 2308.255 requires the tow company to get this verification from you.
3. Check local rules. Section 2308.208 lets cities and counties adopt stricter towing rules. Call your city's towing or parking office before your first tow.

How Park Graph fits with Texas towing signs

Park Graph handles payment, not towing. Park Graph never tows or issues tickets, and enforcement is up to the lot owner. Here is how the two fit together:

• Pay sign. You enter your lot name, number of spaces and hourly rate, and Park Graph makes a QR sign for your lot. You print it, laminate it and post it at the entrance and along main walkways. See how it works.
• Drivers pay by phone. They scan, pick a time and pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. No app or account.
• Check plate. Before you call a tow company, use Check plate. It returns PAID with an end time, EXPIRED, or NO RECORD.
• Payment Notice first. You can leave a Payment Notice on a car that parked without paying. Its QR code lets the driver pay your posted rate and late fee.
• Payouts through Stripe. Your first payout comes 7 days after your first payment, once ID checks are done. After that, payouts arrive 2 business days after each payment.

Your Park Graph QR sign does not replace the state tow-away sign. If you plan to tow, post both. Keep the QR sign near the entrance where drivers see it on the way in, and teach drivers to spot a real sign with our QR code safety guide.

Starter has no monthly fee. A per-payment fee applies, and the amount depends on your plan. Compare plans on the pricing page.

Quick checklist before your first tow

1. Count every driveway, curb cut and alley entry.
2. Order weather-resistant signs at least 18 by 24 inches.
3. Confirm the colors and letter sizes in Section 2308.302.
4. Add who may park, the enforcement days and hours, and a 24-hour phone number.
5. Mount each sign 5 to 8 feet high, measured to the bottom edge.
6. Wait at least 24 hours before any tow.
7. Send written sign verification to your towing company.
8. Check your city and county towing rules.

Start free at https://parkgraph.com